Hundreds turned out to sample the many entertainments on offer during the three-days and the success has secured the event for 2009.

Despite early fears that the weather would deter people, Kenilworth residents showed their true spirit and made the most of the varied arts programme on offer.

Friday morning saw the official festival launch with an Art Show in the Holiday Inn opened by Mayor Spencer Harrison and attended by MP Jeremy Wright.

It was the signal for countless bands to tune up their instruments in the town's pubs. Romany Pie performed in the Priory Theatre and Andrew Davies once again delivered his lecture to a packed hall.

The weather was a little unkind to the Castle Music extravaganza on openeing night, with rain up to 10 minutes prior to the start, but it held off throughout the evening.

Theatrical events included War of the Worlds and late music at the Talisman.

On Saturday it was the turn of the town centre with circus skills for children taught all day in Talisman Square and a Magic Workshop and story telling in the library.

A roving Jazz band also kept the shoppers entertained.

Later at the castle, the audience enjoyed cold but dry weather and the musicians responded with another fine performance. Free wine-tasting thanks to main festival sponsors Sainsbury's helped keep out the chill.

Pub gigs catered for more alternative musical tastes, and while the Talisman staged its second War of the Worlds, the Priory Theatre wondered Whose Line is it Anyway?

The sun shone on Sunday's Party in the Park and a large crowd made a complete afternoon of the event.

The Sedan Chair Race attracted ten entries with one all-ladies team. It was won by the agricultural muscle of the Kenilworth Young Farmers.

Local radio station Touch FM were present with their own touring stage and the Cubbington Silver Band helped with the music all afternoon.

Other attractions included a Chinese dragon and drums, a Circus Big Top, children's sports, a golf range, a rowing challenge from the Warwickshire Golf and Country Club and face painting.

The music in the castle attracted those who had been put off on the previous damp evenings as the tickets had been made transferable due to the poor weather on Friday.

The festival came to a resounding finale with a performance by a 44-piece orchestra of the Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March in the Castle. Land of Hope and Glory then got the full treatment to complete the event.

Peter Roberts, Rotary president, said in his closing ceremony speech that it was a "festival of partnerships".

He added: "With thanks to the sponsors both national and local, English Heritage and local government who have provided financial backing and others who have given practical help."

Roy Shearing, festival committee chairman said he was "delighted" with the success after all the hard work put in by committee members.